YOUNG OFFICERS – Union City kids from seventh through ninth grade participated in a weeklong Junior Police Academy program beginning July 9. They were visited by the Jersey City Police Bomb Squad, the Canine Unit, took a tour of the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Carney, and visited Bear Mountain State Park and Great Adventure Hurricane Harbor shortly before graduating. “The camp gives kids the chance to see what we really do rather than what they see on TV,” Union City Police Chief Brian Barrett said.

A fire broke out between American Self Storage at 3322 Hudson Ave. and Union City Mirror and Furniture at 129 34th St. Wednesday afternoon after lightning apparently struck the storage building, Union City Police Chief Brian Barrett confirmed Thursday morning.

The fire department received the initial call at 4:50 p.m. reporting smoke at the storage facility. When the department responded and searched the building, they realized the smoke was coming from the 100 block of 34th Street, Barrett said.

An employee of Union City Mirror and Furniture said that during the height of the afternoon thunderstorm, he heard a loud bang and the lights went out, and he received a call from the alarm company that the building’s fire alarm had gone off. The employee then evacuated the building, Barrett said.

The N.J. State Fire Marshall and Union City Police Fire Investigations team determined that a lightning strike to the storage facility roof probably started the smouldering fire that began in between the roof and the drop ceiling along a fire wall. It was contained to that area by the wall, Barrett said, but it kept moving laterally so that firefighters had to open up holes in the roof to access it.

The fire never entered the interior of the building, and it was declared under control at 7:30 p.m., Barrett added.

The fire reached a fourth alarm primarily because of the effect the heat had on the firefighters, Barrett said, and there were no reported injuries. They received mutual aid from the Jersey City Fire Department at the fourth alarm.

“The department did a fantastic job of containing [the fire],” Barrett explained, “Otherwise the whole block could have caught fire.”

UC softball fundraiser to support troops

Union City High School’s rooftop football field will be host to the 4th Annual Support the Troops Softball Challenge on July 28 at 5:30 p.m. located at 2500 Kennedy Blvd.

The even will raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to wounded soldiers and their families.

There is nearby street parking and an indoor parking deck at 23rd Street and Kerrigan Avenue. Parking is free in the deck.

The event costs $5 per person and all proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

There is a picnic area and comfortable seating available for this game. It is suggested attendants who do not wish to sit on bleachers bring lawn chairs.

Those interested in playing, or those with questions may contact Fernando Uribe at (201) 993-8623 or email professorfuj@yahoo.com.

Dvine Konektion to offer free summer program for girls

The Dvine Konektion Community Development Corporation is partnering with the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey to offer a free summer program called “Summer B.L.A.S.T” - Becoming Leaders and Acquiring Skills Together.

Girls between the ages of 5 and 17 will meet once a week on Thursdays from July 12 through August 16. The girls will explore a different theme during each session through games and other activities. Topics will include financial literacy, health and fitness, community advocacy, arts and culture, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).

The curriculum is customized by age level, enabling each child to learn at their own pace. Teenagers in the program will be given the opportunity to learn leadership skills and perform community service. At the end of the six weeks, all of the girls will be given the option to continue their Girl Scout journey during the school year.

Spaces are still available for girls interested in the Summer B.L.A.S.T. program. Sessions will be held at 611 56th St. in West New York from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, please call the Girl Scouts at (973) 842-4241 or Dvine Konektion at (201) 617-4484.

UC’s St. John’s to begin Summer Wellness Program

The Arts at St. John's Summer Wellness Program will offer fitness, yoga, mediation and belly dancing classes Tuesday nights from July 17 through Sept. 4. All classes will be held at 1516 Palisade Ave. in Union City, with its entrance located on 16th Street.

Get healthy and support St. John's at the same time. Class fees go to help keep St. John's doors open. Become an ASJ wellness member by buying a five-class pack where each class is only $15. Walk in visits are $20 per class.

For more information, email asjwellness@gmail.com or call (201) 301-8340.

Free health screenings in WNY

Palisades Medical Center will hold free health screenings on July 28 from11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nazareth Baptist Church located at 5800 Palisade Ave. in West New York.

Throughout the year, Palisades Medical Center’s staff takes an active role in local communities by partnering with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Hudson Perinatial Consortium to provide free health screenings and education programs.

The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center's Community Outreach Program with its 2011 Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents.

Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is currently recruiting volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children. CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes.

CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for the judges, and safeguard the interests of the children while they are in the foster care system.

An information session will be held on Tuesday, July 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. in room 400 of the Hudson County Administration Building located at 595 Newark Ave. in Jersey City.

Hudson County has nearly 700 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. For further information, call (201) 795-9855, email mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.

Free help at Dvine Konektion’s community fairs

The Dvine Konektion Community Development Corporation will hold a free community fair on the third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 5516 Jefferson St. in West New York. Residents of West New York, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken and Guttenberg are welcome to attend the next event on July 21. Groceries and baby supplies will be distributed, and various medical screenings and other services are offered.

NHCAC to host golf classic

The North Hudson Community Action Foundation’s seventh Annual Michael A. Leggiero Memorial Golf Classic will take place July 23 at White Beeches Gold and Country Club in Dumont.

Tickets to the event are tax deductible and the proceeds are to be used to help fund the agency’s capital campaign to purchase the building that houses its health center in West New York. The agency is one of the region’s largest non-profit organizations and it is the largest provider of federally qualified health care in New Jersey, with 11 health centers in Hudson, Bergen and Passaic Counties.

A brunch buffet begins at 9:30 a.m. for golfers and non-golfers, with a dinner reception to follow at 5 p.m. Attendees may golf, or use the tennis and swimming facilities, as well.

“This year’s Golf Classic is a wonderful opportunity to see old friends, make new friends, and help North Hudson continue to provide much-needed social services and health care to tens of thousands of people in the region,” says Christopher F. Irizarry, NHCAC president and chief executive officer.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call Odalys Valdes at (201) 210-0100, ext. 318.

Palisades Medical Center to hold health screenings

Palisades Medical Center’s staff has partnered with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, Christ Hospital School of Nursing, and Hudson Perinatial Consortium to provide free health screenings and education programs. The New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA) recognized Palisades Medical Center’s Community Outreach Program with its 2011 Community Outreach Award for its unique and effective methods of reaching out to better serve the healthcare needs of area residents.

Palisades Medical Center has scheduled a series of free health screenings over the coming months.

On July 28, a health fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Nazareth Baptist Church located at 5800 Palisade Ave. in West New York.